Altshausen combines a long history as a castle with ecclesiastical art and a 5.5-kilometre hike into the Alter Weiher nature reserve. Historic sites and a nature trail offer different focuses for planning your trip. What you want to make the centrepiece may also guide your search for a holiday apartment.
Altshausen Castle: History and Use Today
Altshausen Castle stands on the edge of Altshausen. From the second half of the 13th century, it was the seat of the Teutonic Order’s Komtur and later its Landkomtur. In 1647, the Swedes caused severe damage to the castle and set fire to its main buildings. After the Thirty Years’ War, the castle was rebuilt in almost the same form.
Since 1919, Altshausen Castle has served as the residence of the ducal family of Württemberg. Its interiors are not open to visitors. If you include the castle’s history in your plans, bear this visitor restriction in mind and consider the town’s other cultural sites as separate points of interest.
The Holy Sepulchre, St Michael’s and the Historical Gallery
The Holy Sepulchre of Altshausen is an elaborate work comprising two large painted canvases, 23 picture panels and seven arcade arches, as well as a wealth of figures. Unique in its kind and size, it is considered one of the last Holy Sepulchres in southern Germany.
A place of veneration for Blessed Hermann of Altshausen, also known as Hermannus Contractus or Hermann the Lame, is located in the right-hand side chapel of St Michael’s parish and castle church. The ecclesiastical focus therefore includes both the Holy Sepulchre and the veneration of this historical figure.
In the town centre, the listed Old Post Office houses the Historical Gallery. It is another cultural point of interest alongside the castle’s history and ecclesiastical art.
The Adventure Trail to the Alter Weiher
The 5.5-kilometre adventure trail starts at the outdoor swimming pool in Altshausen and leads into the Alter Weiher nature reserve. Along the route at Bocksberg are a small nature playground, an insect hotel, a barefoot path and a woodchip trail.
This provides a clearly defined nature-focused option alongside the historic and ecclesiastical themes. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to give greater prominence to cultural sites or the adventure trail. This choice can also help you tailor your holiday-apartment search to your plans.
Another Cultural Highlight in Ravensburg
In the wider destination of Ravensburg, the Humpis Quarter Museum offers its own focus on cultural history. Its permanent exhibition spans five buildings in a late-medieval residential quarter; the museum opened in July 2009. Regular public tours and individually bookable tours are available for school groups, children and adults. As booking details may change, check them in advance.
This way, your choice of holiday apartment remains guided by your personal travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Fleischwangen, Berg bei Ravensburg, Bergatreute, Leutkirch im Allgäu, Kißlegg, Schlier, Bad Waldsee, Fronreute
Go to the overall travel guide: Ravensburg.
